You’re an internationally renowned musician, in the middle of a tour - what do you do on a rare off night?

For John Mayer, the answer was easy as he prepared for a show on his “Battle Studies” tour in Atlanta: Go back to where it all started.

Tuesday night Mayer tweeted around 10:30 p.m., “Atlanta people! Lets jam out at Eddie’s Attic in Decatur. 11:30pm. Heading over now.” By the time it hit 11:30 p.m. the line wrapped around the block and down the street for a rare 21+ show for only $10.

Eddie’s Attic is where it all started for Mayer a decade ago when he was a struggling musician, so the surprise show was a homecoming of sorts. At one point Mayer couldn’t remember the lyrics to an old song and asked if there were any “super fans” in the audience who could help him with the words.

Regarding musical plans for the future, the Grammy winner lamented he was thinking of changing it up and may move towards folk music, saying “it’s the antidote to pop.”

Naturally, he touched on the pesky tabloids and his penchant for saying exactly what's on his mind, warning the crowd he didn’t want to see any of his ramblings on YouTube the next day. “I think a man deserves to drink a little whiskey…with his friends, talk a little garbage," Mayer said.

The hundreds who got inside, watched on a patio television, or were forced to sing along with speakers on the sidewalk, were more than happy to let him.

soundoff(3 Responses)

Katie

I was there, watching on the patio. Unfortunately my friends and I couldn't find parking when we first arrived from DRH's show, so we had to walk a few blocks and by that time the line was 100+ deep. They let the first 175 in the main room and another 100 (I think?) onto the patio, then everyone else had to stand outside of the building. Even though I had to watch it on a TV, the sound was amazing and it was an amazing experience. It made my roadtrip from PA to ATL to see JM worth it. And the show on Wednesday night just put it over the top!

I was one of the fortunate few who attended the show inside. Some friends (whom I all know thanks to being a fan of John) were at Smith's Olde Bar watching his guitarist and friend David Ryan Harris's set. As soon as it ended, we began to get texts from friends not in attendance who told us to head to Eddie's. It was a scramble, and we feared we wouldn't get there soon enough, but if you're a fan of Mayer, you know seeing him at Eddie's, where it all started, is pretty much the perfect fan experience. And it certainly was that – perfect! John, David Ryan Harris, Sean Hurley, and (later) Bob Reynolds and Charlie Wilson gave us an amazing set that will never be forgotten, along with some "garbage" talk and plenty of mutual admiration between all of them on stage. It was truly a special night, and not one I ever imagined would happen for me – John Mayer at Eddie's Attic. What a bargain at $10, but I'd have paid much more...